Step-on water flow regulation device

ABSTRACT

A water flow regulation device having a body with an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening. Each outlet opening is associated with an actuating device that controls the flow of water out of the associated outlet opening. A pedal or cap may be depressed by a user in order to selectively control the water flow to one of the outlets.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/813,447 filed on Mar. 4, 2019, the entirety of which isincorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to flow control devices and, moreparticularly, to a foot operated flow control device especially usefulfor use with garden hoses and gardening implements like sprinklers andwater sprayers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most homes and residential buildings have a spigot (or hose bib) forconnecting to a hose for supplying water to outdoor spaces. For example,many homes and residential buildings have gardens and other plants grownby the residents. In many regions, rain is not consistent enough tosupport the plants grown by the residents. Accordingly, water isprovided to the plants via a hose or other flexible conduit from thespigot. Similarly, many people use the water from the spigot for otheractivities like washing a car, cleaning a sidewalk, or other water-basedactivities.

For some people, reaching the spigot can be difficult due to conditionssuch as arthritis or other mobility impairments. Additionally, actuatingthe spigot, often by turning the wheel handle may be difficult as it isdifficult to grasp and turn on and off.

In addition, the spigot of a building is often found in adifficult-to-reach position, like under a deck, behind bushes, orotherwise situated in an awkward location. Thus, it is difficult orcumbersome to have to turn on and off the spigot each time the flow ofwater is started and stopped. Permanently moving the spigot is a costlysolution.

Additionally, many times, the water from the spigot is used for multipleapplications. If there is only one bib accessible, this requires movinga hose or water device between the various applications. Thus, theproblems of turning on and off the spigot are exasperated when thespigot must be turned on/off each time the hose is moved, or gardeningimplements are changed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device which provides a moreaccessible way to control the flow of water from a spigot. Additionally,there is a further need for a device which provides a more accessibleposition for controlling the flow of water, and more particularly thereis need for a device that allows multiple hoses to be controlled, evenwhen only one bid or spigot is provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A new flow regulation device has been invented. This new flow regulationdevice allows for water flow to be controlled by a foot pedal. Thisallows for the flow to be controlled without bending over and withoutgripping and manipulating the control at the spigot. In someembodiments, the device has a plurality of outlet openings that are eachcontrolled by a foot pedal. The present flow regulation device has aninlet to be coupled with a hose, allowing the flow regulation device tobe placed in a more convenient, easily accessible location. To start orstop a flow of water, a user need merely step on one of the pedals.

Accordingly, in at least one aspect of the present invention, thepresent invention may be generally characterized as providing a flowregulation device with: a body having an inlet opening and at least oneoutlet opening; and, at least one foot pedal. Each outlet opening isassociated with a foot pedal. Each foot pedal being is configured tostart or stop a flow of water out of the associated outlet opening. Itis contemplated that the foot pedals are disposed on an upper surface ofthe body. It is also contemplated that the inlet opening is located onone side of the body, and the outlet openings from the plurality ofoutlet openings are located on an opposite side of the body. It isfurther contemplated that the flow regulation device includes aplurality of spikes located on an opposite side of the body relative toa side of the body that includes the foot pedals from the plurality offoot pedals. It is further contemplated that the body is formed by twomembers. It is even further contemplated that the body comprises amanifold for the distribution of water. It is still further contemplatedthat the outlet openings are disposed in a wear plate that is removablysecured to the body. It is also contemplated that the device includes aplurality of actuating devices, and each foot pedal communicates withone of the actuating devices from the plurality of actuating devices. Itis further contemplated that each foot pedal includes a side wall thatis visually distinguishable from a top surface of the foot pedal inorder to provide a visual indication of a position of the foot pedal.

In another aspect, the present invention may be generally characterizedas providing a device for regulating a flow of water having: a bodyhaving an inlet opening and at least one outlet openings; and, at leastone pedal. Each outlet opening may be associated with one pedal, andeach pedal may be configured to move to start or stop a flow of waterthough the associated outlet opening. It is contemplated that at leastone pedal is disposed on an upper surface of the body. It is furthercontemplated the inlet opening is located on one side of the body, andthe at least one outlet opening is located on an opposite side of thebody. It is also contemplated that the device includes a plurality ofspikes located on an opposite of the body relative to the at least onepedal. The body may be formed by two members. The body may form amanifold for distributing of water. It is contemplated that the deviceincludes at least one actuating device, and that each pedal communicateswith one actuating device. Each pedal may have a side wall that isvisually distinguishable from a top surface of the pedal in order toprovide a visual indication of a position of the pedal.

In still another aspect, the present invention may be broadly describedas providing a device for regulating a flow of water which includes: abody with an inlet and a plurality of outlets, the inlet configured tobe secured to source of water and each outlet from the plurality ofoutlets in communication with the inlet, and, a plurality of actuatingdevices. Each actuating device is associated with an outlet from theplurality of outlets, and each actuating device includes a member withan aperture extending through the member. The members are configured tobe moved to align the apertures with the inlet and the associated outletin order to start the flow of water from the inlet through theassociated outlet. It is contemplated that each actuating deviceincludes an upper cam member and a lower cam member. The upper cammembers and the lower cam members may each have complementary configuredsurfaces configured to engage each other and rotate the lower cammember. Each actuating device may also include at least one spring forbiasing one of the upper or lower cam members. Each actuating device mayfurther include a cap configured to be operated by a user to rotate thelower cam member. It is contemplated that each actuating device includesat least one seal disposed between the aperture and the inlet, and eachseal may have a wall with an undulating surface. It is also contemplatedthat the body includes a plurality of cylindrical housings and that eachcylindrical housing contains one of the members of the actuatingdevices. Each cylindrical housing may have a cap configured to beoperated by a user to move the member to align the apertures with theinlet and the associated outlet. The caps may be configured to rotatethe members.

In yet another aspect, the present invention may, generally, becharacterized as providing a device for regulating a flow of waterhaving: a body with an inlet and a plurality of outlets, the inletconfigured to be secured to source of water and each outlet from theplurality of outlets in communication with the inlet; and, a pluralityof actuating devices, each actuating device associated with an outletfrom the plurality of outlets, and each actuating device including anupper cam member and a lower cam member having an aperture extendingthrough the lower cam member. The lower cam members may be configured tobe rotated to align the apertures with the inlet and the associatedoutlet in order to start the flow of water from the inlet through theassociated outlet. It is contemplated that the device also includes aplurality of caps, each cap associated with one of the actuatingdevices.

Additional aspects, embodiments, and details of the invention, all ofwhich may be combinable in any manner, are set forth in the followingdetailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below in conjunction with the following drawing figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a device according to one or more embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top and side perceptive view of the device depicted inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom elevational view of the device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom and side perceptive view of the device depicted inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another device according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective side and front view of another device accordingto one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded front view of the device depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a cap of the device depicted in FIGS. 7 and8;

FIG. 10A is a top view of a seal used in the device depicted in FIGS. 7and 8;

FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the seal depicted in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a side view of the seal depicted in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D is another side view of the seal depicted in FIG. 10A which isrotated 90-degrees compared with the side view of FIG. 10C;

FIG. 11A is a top exploded view of conduits used in the device depictedin FIGS. 7 and 8; and,

FIG. 11B is front exploded view of the conduits in FIG. 11A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As mentioned above, a new water flow regulation device has beeninvented. The new device has a pedal to control the flow of water,preferably by a user's foot operating the pedal. Thus, with the push ofa user's foot, water pressure to a hose can controlled without having toreturn to the spigot each and every time. The present flow regulationdevice may be placed in a convenient location and connected via a hoseto the building spigot. Once the spigot has been turned on and flows tothe flow regulation device, the water flow out of the flow regulationdevice is controlled by stepping on the foot pedal(s).

With these general principles in mind, one or more embodiments of thepresent invention will be described with the understanding that thefollowing description is not intended to be limiting.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the new flow regulation device 10 includes anupper body member 12 and a lower body member 14 which together form abody 16. The body 16 includes an inlet opening 18. The inlet opening 18is disposed on a front end 20 of the body 16. Opposite the front end 20is a back end 22 of the body 16 which includes at least one outletopening 24 a, 24 b, 24 c. While the depicted embodiment includes threeoutlet openings 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, any number of outlet openings may beincluded, including one, two, four, five, six, etc. The inlet opening 18and the outlet openings 24 a, 24 b, 24 c are each located on necks 26,or fluted portions, that extend away from the body 16.

According to at least one aspect, the body 16 may form a manifold forthe distribution of water to the outlet openings 24 a, 24 b, 24 cTherefore, the materials of the body 16 should be sufficiently strong towithstand the pressure of water from a household supply. Alternatively,the body 16 may contain piping or other conduits 29 (FIG. 7) whichdistribute water within the body 16.

The inlet opening 18 is coupled to a hose (not show) and thus includes acoupling member 28 which may be a ¾-inch threaded female hose coupling.Preferably, the coupling member 28 is freely rotatable on the neck 26.Additionally, each of the outlet openings 24 a, 24 b, 24 c is intendedto be coupled to a hose as well. Accordingly, each of the necks 26associated with the outlet openings 24 a, 24 b, 24 c include a couplingmember 34 which may be a ¾-inch male threaded hose coupling. Thedepicted coupling members 28, 34 are merely exemplary.

In the depicted embodiment, a first outlet opening 24 b is in line withthe inlet opening 18. By “in line”, as shown in FIG. 1, it is meant thatthe approximate centers of the inlet opening 18, and outlet opening 24 bare located along a center axis A1-A1 of the body. The additionalopenings 24 a, 24 c are located such that lines A2-A2, A3-A3intersecting the approximate center of that outlet opening 24 a, 24 cand the center of the inlet opening 18 center axis A1-A1 form angles α1,α2 of approximately 45° with the center axis A1-A1. Moreover, to providefor even flow distribution, the additional outlet openings 24 a, 24 care preferably equidistantly spaced from the first outlet opening 24 b.The depicted arrangement is merely preferred.

With reference to FIG. 5, the necks 26 of outlet openings 24 a, 24 b, 24c are preferably located on a wear plate 38 that is separate from thebody 16. This will allow of the wear plate 38 to be switched and madefrom a different material relative to the body 16. Additionally, thewear plate 38 may protect the couplings 34.

Turning to FIG. 1, disposed on an upper surface 40 of the flowregulation device 10 are a plurality of pedals 42 a, 42 b, 42 c,preferably sized and arrangement to be manipulated by a foot. Each footpedal 42 a, 42 b, 42 c controls the flow of water through one of theoutlet openings 24 a, 24 b, 24 c in the body 16. While the depictedembodiment includes three foot pedals 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, any number offoot pedals may be included, including one, two, four, five, six, etc.provided that each outlet opening 24 a, 24 b, 24 c is associated withone of the foot pedals 42 a, 42 b, 42 c.

Accordingly, turning to FIG. 6, each foot pedal 42 a, 42 b, 42 ccommunicates with an actuating device 44 a, 44 b, 44 c which eitherpermits or prevents the flow of water through the respective outletopening 24 a, 24 b, 24 c. The actuating devices 44 a, 44 b, 44 c may beany structure which is moved between on and off configurations to eitherallow or prevent the flow of water. Exemplary actuating devices 44 a, 44b, 44 c include ball valves, butterfly valves, stopcocks, pistons, andother structures which can be moved in and out of the path of water tocontrol the flow of water. The actuating devices 44 a, 44 b, 44 c may bedirectly engaged by the foot pedals 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, or the actuatingdevices 44 a, 44 b, 44 c may be in pneumatic, electrical, or otherindirect communication with the foot pedals 42 a, 42 b, 42 c (i.e., withan intervening structure).

Preferably, the foot pedals 42 a, 42 b, 42 c are movable in and out of ahome orientation which indicates whether the associated actuatingdevices 44 a, 44 b, 44 c is in one of the on or off configurations. Inorder to provide a visual indication as to whether or not the footpedals 42 a, 42 b, 42 c are in the home position (and thus whether ornot the actuating devices 44 a, 44 b, 44 c are in the on or offorientations), sidewalls 45 of the foot pedals 42 a, 42 b, 42 c may bevisually distinguished from top surfaces 47 of the foot pedals 42 a, 42b, 42 c with, for example bright colors or different surface textures.The foot pedals 42 a, 42 b, 42 c may be biased to return to the homeorientation mechanically with, for example springs, or via the materialof the foot pedals, or via pressure, from for example, the pressure ofthe water within the body 16.

For example, if the home orientation indicates that the actuatingdevices 44 a, 44 b, 44 c are in an off configuration, the foot pedals 42a, 42 b, 42 c may be spaced and extend above the upper surface 40 of thebody 16 so that the sidewalls 45 are visually perceived. If a foot pedal42 a, 42 b, 42 c is stepped on to change the actuating device 44 a, 44b, 44 c to an on configuration, when the user's foot is removed from thefoot pedal 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, it stays in a displaced orientation(relative to the home orientation) where the sidewalls 45 are not easilyvisually perceived. Thus, by the orientation of the foot pedal 42 a, 42b, 42 c, the user is provided with information relating to whether ornot the actuating device 44 a, 44 b, 44 c is in the on or offconfiguration. This explanation is intended to be exemplary and as wouldbe appreciated, in the home orientation of the foot pedals 42 a, 42 b,42 c, sidewalls 45 may be visually perceived, or the actuating device 44a, 44 b, 44 c may be in the on configuration, or both.

In order to better maintain the flow regulation device 10 in the desiredlocation when deployed by a user, a plurality of spikes 46 extendingaway from a bottom surface 48 of the flow regulation device 10. Thespikes 46 may be made from a material that is sufficiently rigid to beable to be driven into the ground. Additionally, a pad 50 is secured tothe body 16, with, for example the spikes 46. The pad 50 is locatedbetween the body 16 and the ground, and may be made from a material thatalso maintains the flow regulation device 10 in the desired location.Additionally, the pad 50 protects the body 16 from damage, for example,by a rock or other hard object adjacent the flow regulation device 10.

In use, a water supply hose, having one end at the spigot, is coupled,at its second end, to the inlet opening 18 via the coupling member 28.Additional hoses maybe coupled to the outlet openings 24 a, 24 b, 24 cvia their respective coupling members 34. The water may be turned on atthe spigot.

If the actuating devices 44 a, 44 b, 44 c are in the “offconfiguration”, no water will flow out of the outlet openings 24 a, 24b, 24 c. When a user wants to start the flow of water to a particularhose, the desired foot pedal 42 a, 42 b, 42 c is depressed, changing theconfiguration of the associated actuating device 44 a, 44 b, 44 c to an“on configuration”, and thus starting the flow of water to through therespective outlet opening 24 a, 24 b, 24 c. To stop the flow of water,the same foot pedal 42 a, 42 b, 42 c is depressed to change theconfiguration of the associated actuating device 44 a, 44 b, 44 c backto the “off configuration”.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, another device 110 of present invention isshown, in which similar features to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 have thesame reference numbers that have been increased by “100.”

In the device 110 of FIGS. 7 and 8, there are two outlets 124 a, 124 b,again, each associated with an actuating device 144 a, 144 b.

As shown in FIG. 8, each actuating device 144 a, 144 b includes an uppercam member 152, an upper spring 154, a lower cam member 156, and a lowercam spring 158. The components of each actuating device 144 a, 144 b areheld within cylindrical housings 160 which extend out of the body 116. Acover 162 may be threadedly secured to the lower end of each cylindricalhousing 160, while a cap 142 a, 142 b may be slidably secured to theupper end of each cylindrical housing 160. The cap 142 a, 142 b is ableto move up and down on the cylindrical housing 160 to control the flowof fluid out of the associated outlets 124 a, 124 b.

Disposed at a top of each cylindrical housings 160 is at least one tab161. Preferably, there are two or more tabs 161. Each tab 161 includesan extension 163 that projects outwardly away from an outer surface 165of the cylindrical housings 160. The extensions 163 are sized tointerfere with an annular flange 167 on the bottom of the cap 142 a, 142b. (See FIG. 9). The tabs 161 are inwardly displaceable, so that the cap142 a, 142 b can be slid downward over the extensions 163. Theextensions 163 may have a sloped top surface to allow for easierassembly. Once the flange 167 has passed over the extensions 163, thetabs 161 may return to the depicted configuration in which theextensions 163 are positioned prevent the flange 167 from being removedfrom the cylindrical housings 160. However, to allow for removable, eachcap 124 a, 124 b includes access portals 169 allowing the tabs 161 to bedepressed inwardly with a pin or the like, so that the flange 167 mayclear the extensions 163 and be removed from the cylindrical housings160.

As shown in FIG. 8, each lower cam member 156 includes a body 166 thathas an aperture 168 extending therethrough. In an “on configuration” forthe actuating device 144 a, 144 b the aperture 168 is aligned with theinlet opening 118 and the associated outlet opening 124 a, 124 b. Thus,water is permitted to flow from the inlet opening 118, through the body166 of the lower cam member 156 and out of the device 110 through theassociated outlet opening 124 a, 124 b. In an “off configuration” forthe actuating device 144 a, 144 b, the aperture 168 is misaligned withthe inlet opening 118. Accordingly, water is prevented from flowing outof the device 110 through the associated outlet opening 124 a, 124 b bythe body 166 of the lower cam member 156.

To change from the “on configuration” to the “off configuration,” andvice versa, the lower cam member 156 includes an upper surface 170 thatis configured complementarily to a lower surface 172 of the upper cammember 152. The upper cam member 152 includes vertical slots 174 thatengage protrusions 175 (see FIG. 11A) on an inner surface of thecylindrical housings 160.

In a known manner, when the cap 142 a, 142 b is depressed by a user, theupper cam member 152 is displaced downward. The upper surface 170 of thelower cam member 156 and the lower surface 172 of the upper cam member152, along with the biasing of the springs 154, 158, and the slots 174and protrusions, cooperate to rotate the lower cam member 156 45-degreesaround its vertical longitudinal axis. When the user releases the cap142 a, 142 b, the lower cam member rotates another 45-degree rotation.

As shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, the device 110 may include seals 176 disposedon opposite sides of the lower cam member 156 to reduce any leaking fromwater flowing into and out of the body 166 of the lower cam member 156.The seals 176 may include a wall 178 extending away from the seal 176.The wall 178 has an undulating outer surface 180 such that it appears,when viewed from the side, that the outer surface 180 of the wall 178 isconcave (FIG. 10C) but when rotated 90 around its longitudinal axis, theouter surface 180 of the wall 178 is convex (FIG. 10D). Thisconfiguration allows the seal 176 to accommodate the cylindrical shapeof the body 166 of the lower cam member 156.

Turning now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the conduits 129 of the flowregulation device 110 are shown with greater detail. More specifically,the conduits 129 and the cylindrical housings 160 are secured togetherwith complementary threaded portions 190 a, 190 b. The conduits 129include two conduits 129 a, 129 b having one of the outlet openings 124a, 124 b, and one conduit 129 c having the inlet opening 118. Each ofthese conduits 129 a, 129 b, 129 c includes a male threaded extensions190 a which is received in a female threaded aperture 190 b in thecylindrical housings 160.

Accordingly, with the present flow regulation device 10, 110, a userdoes not need to bend over at the spigot to start and stop water.Rather, a mere push of a pedal with the user's foot will start/stop thewater flow. Additionally, by providing multiple outlets, each having anindependent control, the flow regulation device 10, 110 allows formultiple hoses to be selectively provided with water and controlledindependently for each other. Finally, by using a design that can becontrolled with a user's foot, the device 10, 110 can be placed in aneasy-to-reach place and may be operated with minimal effort providingfor a more enjoyable gardening experience.

It should be appreciated and understood by those of ordinary skill inthe art that various other components were not shown in the drawings asit is believed that the specifics of same are well within the knowledgeof those of ordinary skill in the art and a description of same is notnecessary for practicing or understanding the embodiments of the presentinvention. While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented inthe foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should beappreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also beappreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments areonly examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability,or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoingdetailed description will provide those skilled in the art with aconvenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, it being understood that various changes may be made in thefunction and arrangement of elements described in an exemplaryembodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for regulating a flow of water, thedevice comprising: a body having an inlet opening and at least oneoutlet openings; and, at least one pedal, each outlet opening associatedwith one pedal, and each pedal configured to move to start or stop aflow of water though the associated outlet opening.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein at least one pedal is disposed on an upper surface ofthe body.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening is locatedon one side of the body, and wherein the at least one outlet opening islocated on an opposite side of the body.
 4. The device of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of spikes located on an opposite of thebody relative to the at least one pedal.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein the body is formed as by two members.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the body comprises a manifold for distributing of water.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising at least one actuating device,each pedal communicating with one actuating device.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein each pedal comprises a side wall that is visuallydistinguishable from a top surface of the pedal in order to provide avisual indication of a position of the pedal.
 9. A device for regulatinga flow of water, the device comprising: a body with an inlet and aplurality of outlets, the inlet configured to be secured to source ofwater and each outlet from the plurality of outlets in communicationwith the inlet, and, a plurality of actuating devices, each actuatingdevice associated with an outlet from the plurality of outlets, and eachactuating device comprising a member with an aperture extending throughthe member, wherein the members are configured to be moved to align theapertures with the inlet and the associated outlet in order to start theflow of water from the inlet through the associated outlet.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein each actuating device comprises an upper cammember and a lower cam member.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein theupper cam members and the lower cam members each comprises complementaryconfigured surfaces configured to engage each other and rotate the lowercam member.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein each actuating devicefurther comprises at least one spring for biasing one of the upper orlower cam members.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein each actuatingdevice further comprises a cap configured to be operated by a user torotate the lower cam member.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein eachactuating device further comprises at least one seal disposed betweenthe aperture and the inlet.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein eachseal comprises a wall with an undulating surface.
 16. The device ofclaim 9, wherein the body comprises a plurality of cylindrical housings,each housing containing one of the members of the actuating devices. 17.The device of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of caps, eachcylindrical housing having a cap, and each cap configured to be operatedby a user to move the member to align the apertures with the inlet andthe associated outlet.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the caps areconfigured to rotate the members.
 19. A device for regulating a flow ofwater, the device comprising: a body with an inlet and a plurality ofoutlets, the inlet configured to be secured to source of water and eachoutlet from the plurality of outlets in communication with the inlet,and, a plurality of actuating devices, each actuating device associatedwith an outlet from the plurality of outlets, and each actuating devicecomprising an upper cam member and a lower cam member having an apertureextending through the lower cam member, wherein the lower cam membersare configured to be rotated to align the apertures with the inlet andthe associated outlet in order to start the flow of water from the inletthrough the associated outlet.
 20. The device of claim 19, furthercomprising a plurality of caps, each cap associated with one of theactuating devices.